Death driver jailed for eight years

Grant Tutton, who was seriously injured in the fatal accident, showed no emotion as he was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court yesterday.

But the 20-year-old, who had been drinking and had smoked cannabis, was said to be haunted by the death of his friends in the crash earlier this year.

He is now on medication for depression and suffers horrific nightmares as he tries to come to terms with the guilt he feels.

The court heard the accident happened on the Lindfield road at Ardingly, near Haywards Heath, on Saturday, January 29, as Tutton and three friends went out for the evening.

Tutton, who has never taken a driving test, was behind the wheel of a £295 Vauxhall Cavalier bought a week earlier by George Donnan, who survived the crash, and David Dodds, who died.

Tutton was driving despite the fact he had a criminal record which included driving while disqualified. At the time he was still serving an 18-month ban.

It was only due to be a short journey to a party but Tutton lost control of the car as he tried to overtake two vehicles in front of him - a car and a horsebox.

As he attempted the manoeuvre on a blind bend on the dark, unlit stretch of road at Burstowhill Lane, another vehicle appeared, travelling in the opposite direction.

Tutton lost control, skidded across the road and crashed into a tree.

Alan Gardner, prosecuting, told the court: "It was completely dangerous to overtake at that point, especially on a dark night."

Alex Cater, 20, from Ardingly, a barman, was killed in the crash. David Dodds, 20, from East Grinstead, died later that night in hospital.

Mr Donnan survived the crash but suffered a broken pelvis and shoulder, and bruised lungs.

Tutton was in a coma for more than two weeks. He broke all his ribs, punctured a lung, and part of his lower bowel and his spleen were removed.

He suffered swelling on the brain, which affected the left side of his body, and while in hospital contracted MRSA and faces a further operation.

Mr Gardner said an off-duty police officer who came to help and paramedics who arrived at the scene were told by Tutton he was not the driver.

A blood test revealed he was over the legal drink-drive limit and had used cannabis at some time before the accident.

The men travelling in the car were not wearing seatbelts and the vehicle had under-inflated tyres, which would have affected its handling.

When Tutton was later interviewed by police he said he had no memory of the accident.

After the crash Mr Donnan told police Tutton was "acting like a ****head" because he was driving too fast.

Nicholas Hamblin, defending, said: "This is a tragic case and it is almost impossible to put into words the extent of the guilt and remorse felt by this young man."

He said Tutton has said he hates himself for taking the decision to drive and wishes he had died with his friends. Family and friends of the dead men were in court.

Tutton, of Cinderhill Lane, Horsted Keynes, near Haywards Heath, who formerly lived in Brighton, admitted two charges of causing death by dangerous driving plus an offence of driving while disqualified. He was banned from driving for six years.

Judge Richard Brown told him: "This was an horrendous and totally irresponsible piece of dangerous driving. It has taken the lives of two young men and devastated their families and friends."

After the hearing the parents of the two dead men spoke of their grief. Michael Dodds, who flew from South Africa for the hearing, said his family would never get over the death of his son. He described him as a wonderful, popular and spirited young man, who had travelled to the UK for a year-long visit from the family home in Johannesburg.

He thanked Sussex Police for their kindness and care and urged people never to get into cars driven by someone under the influence of drink or drugs.

He added: "Please encourage your children to live by these rules so other parents will not have to go through the same experience we have gone through."

The family of Alex Cater welcomed the sentence. In a statement, his mother Claire said: "We are glad today is over and that justice has been done.

"When a callous act results in two young lives being lost no one other than the families understand the devastation it causes.

"There are no words big enough to describe just how much we miss our darling Alex. He was the life and soul of our our family and life without him has been harder than anyone can imagine.

"Our family has been left shattered and broken.

"I can only hope that people will learn from this terrible tragedy. It was 5.30pm at night and Alex simply accepted a lift - less than a five minute drive down the road and he was dead.

"Never get into a car with someone who you think has been drinking. It can cost you your life."

She also thanked the police for their support and diligence.

Sergeant Paul Williams, of North Downs road policing department, said the dangers of driving after taking alcohol or drugs had been well-publicised but a minority were prepared to take enormous risks.